"It was an incredible game", said home manager John McGlashan. "I've never been involved in a match like this in my life. Alan and Pat have both been given match balls to take away to commemorate their achievement".
Alan Brazil and Pat Clarke both grabbed hat-tricks as impressive Arbroath cruised to their biggest victory in over 30 years against a hapless East Stirling.
"It was an incredible game," said home manager John McGlashan. "I've never been involved in a match like this in my life. Alan and Pat have both been given match balls to take away to commemorate their achievement".
Arbroath totally dominated the opening stages and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 14 minutes when Brazil headed home a Jay Stein cross from close range.
Brazil added to his tally 11 minutes later when he clinically finished a free-flowing move involving Hugh Davidson, Marc McCulloch and Stein.
The home side were shocked after 36 minutes, however, when former Arbroath striker Iain Diack shot past Mark Peat to reduce the leeway.
That setback fired up the home side, and within a couple of minutes they restored their two-goal advantage when Brazil completed his hat-trick. Stein was again the supplier with a perfect cross from the left.
Clarke could have added to Arbroath's lead but he was twice denied by the woodwork and twice by Derek Jackson in the visitors' goal.
Clarke would not be denied, however, and after 66 minutes he opened his account by deflecting a Stein shot beyond the reach of Jackson.
He put the home side further ahead in the 80th minute, running unchallenged for 20 yards before slotting the ball beyond the keeper.
Four minutes later Clarke turned provider by heading a Stein cross into the path of substitute Roddy Black, who shot home from 15 yards.
Shire's Diack grabbed his second of the match and eighth of the season after 87 minutes before Clarke completed his hat-trick by expertly volleying home a McCulloch cross in the final minutes.
It was Arbroath's third victory in a row while Shire have now gone over 12 months without winning an away league game.